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We all know college can be tough. With difficult classes to juggle and tests to study for, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Despite all the challenges, college can also be a time of great growth and discovery.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips on how to write a winning argumentative essay in college. We’ll also cover everything from picking the right topic to structuring your essay to impress your professor.
What Is An Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is a type of persuasive essay that seeks to convince the reader of a particular point of view. Unlike other types of essays, such as narrative or expository essays, an argumentative essay requires that you take a position on a certain issue.
You will then need to support your position with fact based evidence. This can be in the form of data, statistics, examples, or other information that will help to back up your claim.
Argumentative essays are a common college assignment. Professors often assign them to assess students’ ability to think critically about a certain issue.
Definition Of An Argumentative Essay
An argumentative essay is a type of writing that presents an argument or opinion supporting a particular position. The main purpose of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to adopt your point of view. You must present evidence and reasoning supporting your position to do this effectively.
In addition, you will need to anticipate and refute counterarguments. An argumentative essay can be written on various topics, including politics, religion, education, and entertainment. However, no matter the topic, all argumentative essays must include a thesis statement and evidence to support the thesis.
Purpose Of Writing An Argumentative Essay
The most common purpose is to persuade the reader to agree with your opinion on a particular issue. However, there are other purposes as well. For example, you might write an argumentative essay to raise awareness about a particular issue or convince the reader to take action.
Argumentative essays can effectively persuade the reader to see your point of view. However, it is important to remember that your goal is not simply to win the argument but to convince the reader that your argument is valid. To do this, you will need to present your argument clearly and logically.
Elements Of A Well-Written Argumentative Essay
If you want the highest marks on your essay, ensure you include the following elements:
Introduction
The introduction of an argumentative essay must be carefully crafted to entice readers to want to read more. A good introduction will grab the reader’s attention, provide background information on the topic, and explain the main argument of the essay.
Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a sentence or two that tells the reader about your essay. It should be specific and direct yet also allow you to expand on your topic. A good thesis statement usually includes four attributes:
- Position: Takes a stand on an issue or debatable point.
- Precision: Delivers a specific and direct message.
- Clarity: Is easy to understand.
- Originality: Takes an interesting perspective on the topic.
Body Paragraphs
The body of your argumentative essay should be where you do the heavy lifting. This is where you make your case and try to convince your reader that your position is the right one. To do this effectively, you’ll need to use factual and anecdotal evidence to support your claims.
Reasons
A good way to start an argumentative essay body paragraph is to begin with a strong authoritative statement. This could be a claim, an opinion, or even a fact that you can back up with evidence. Once your readers are hooked, it’s time to build your case.
Evidence
Use concrete examples and data to support your claims, and be sure to refute any counterarguments your reader might pose. By the end of your body paragraph, you should have made a strong case for your position – one that your reader is likely to find convincing.
Rebuttal
It’s important to have a strong counter argument and refute them with evidence. By doing so, you’ll strengthen your argument and show that you’re aware of the other side. You can identify the main points and their supporting evidence. Then, come up with your arguments and evidence to counter them.
Backing
To back your arguments in an argumentative essay, you must provide evidence to support your assertions. This evidence includes facts, statistics, expert quotes, and real-life examples. Be sure to collect this evidence before you start writing to include it in your essay and make your argument more persuasive.
Argumentative Essay Structure
The most important part of an argumentative essay is the structure. The structure of an argumentative essay is very important because it determines how the essay will be organized and what points will be used to support the main argument.
There are three different types of structures that can be used for an argumentative essay:
Classical Or Aristotelian Structure
This type of structure is the most common and is used to organize an essay that will be persuasive. The classical structure consists of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Toulmin Structure
This type of structure is less common but can be effective for more analytical essays. The Toulmin structure consists of an introduction, four to six body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Rogerian Structure
This type of structure is the least common but can be useful for essays that are more conciliatory. The Rogerian structure consists of an introduction, two to three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Argumentative Essay Outline Templates
Here are three outline templates you can use to write your argumentative essay.
Classical Or Aristotelian
- Introduction
Introduce the Aristotelian approach to argumentation, emphasizing its key features. - Thesis statement
State your thesis clearly and concisely. - Reasons and evidence
Present your reasons for supporting your thesis, using evidence to support your claims. - Rebuttals
Address possible counterarguments to your thesis, refute them, and reaffirm your position. - Conclusion
Summarize your argument and reiterate your thesis.
Toulmin
- Introduction
Present the topic, state your opinion on it and explain why you feel that way. - Claim
What are you trying to prove with your essay? - Data
Evidence that supports your claim. - Warrant
The logical connection between your data and your claim. - Backing
Additional support for your warrant. - Rebuttals
Counterarguments to anticipated objections. - Conclusion
Sum up your argument and restate your opinion on the issue.
Rogerian
- Introduction
Introduce the issue at hand and explain that you will take a Rogerian approach to the debate. - Find common ground
Identify points of agreement between the two sides of the argument. - Propose a solution
Use the common ground to propose a solution that both sides can agree on. - Conclusion
Summarize your argument and reiterate your proposal for a solution.
How To Write An Argumentative Essay
Here is how you can write an argumentative essay
Introduction
Your introduction should be focused on grabbing the attention of the reader. Try making it short and sweet. You want to give them a brief rundown of what your paper will be about without getting too in-depth. Try to avoid using cliches or overused phrases. Your introduction should make it clear what your position is on the issue at hand.
Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph should be focused on one specific point. You will want to start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that states the main point you will be discussing in that paragraph. After your topic sentence, you will want to provide evidence to support your claim.
This could be data from the research you have done, information from reliable sources, or your own experiences. Be sure to cite any outside sources you use so your readers can check them for themselves.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should be the opposite of your introduction. Instead of trying to hook the reader, you will want to summarize everything you have already said and leave your reader with a clear understanding of your position. Try to end on a strong note so that your reader has a positive impression of your paper.
Tips To Write A Winning Argumentative Essay For College Students
Here are some tips on how to write a good argumentative essay in college:
Pick A Topic That You Are Passionate About
If you’re going to be arguing for or against something, it helps to have strong feelings about the topic. This will make it easier for you to write a convincing essay.
Do Your Research
Once you have chosen a topic, it’s time to research. You will need to find data and evidence to support your position. Try to find reliable sources, such as scholarly articles or government reports.
Structure Your Essay Clearly And Concisely
A well-structured essay is easier to follow and more enjoyable to read. Be sure to include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Edit And Proofread Your Essay
Before submitting it, proofread your essay for errors. This will help to ensure that your essay is error-free and will make a good impression on your professor.
Good Argumentative Essay Topics 2022
When it comes to choosing good argumentative essay topics, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, your topic should be something you’re passionate about.
Some good argumentative essay topics for 2022 include:
- The pros and cons of social media
- The impact of technology on society
- The benefits and drawbacks of online learning
- Is homeschooling a viable option?
- The pros and cons of genetic engineering
- Do video games help relieve stress?
Argumentative Essay Examples
Here are some examples that can help you improve your understanding of argumentative essays.
The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence. They need to establish a position on the topic clearly and concisely. The purpose of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to accept your point of view on a controversial issue.
To convince the reader that your position is valid, you must provide compelling evidence. As you can see, writing an argumentative essay is not as daunting as it may seem at first glance. With careful planning and execution, you can produce a well-written essay that persuasively argues your point of view.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important part of an argumentative essay is the thesis statement. It should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. Everything else in your essay should support your thesis statement.
There are a few things that can make an argumentative essay difficult to write. One is trying to find credible sources to support your argument. It can also be difficult to stay objective and impartial when writing about a subject you feel strongly about. Finally, organizing your thoughts and making your argument clear can be tricky.
The skills required for argumentative writing are the same as those necessary for effective communication. To be an effective arguer, you need to be able to:
Understand your point of view.
Understand the opposing point of view.
Find common ground between the two points of view.
Generate evidence that supports your point of view.
Present your evidence clearly and logically.
Defend your argument against opposing views or evidence.
Hello, everyone! I am Cathy A. and I am the Chief Author and Editor at WriteArgumentativeEssays.com. I overlook all the guides and blogs being written on the website about argumentative essay writing.
